Western Sydney councils take on takeaway litter

The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) will deliver a new anti-litter program with participating councils, targeting the huge quantities of food and drink containers and packaging left in public spaces - costing councils $14 million annually.

Building on previous, successful campaigns1, the WSROC Regional Litter Program (LRIP) is aimed at reducing Western Sydney councils’ annual $14 million cleaning bill2 by targeting prevention of litter. Strategies include growing awareness around community responsibility and ensuring adequate infrastructure, such as the quantity and visibility of bins - particularly in high-use recreational areas.

Rolling out from November 2019, the program will target public areas that experience high volumes of traffic - and litter. WSROC and participating councils, including Blacktown, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Parramatta and Penrith, will deliver community-friendly information about litter disposal, with the clear message that littering is an offence and carries a fine.

Following the campaign, councils will continue local implementation with enforcement activity at their site, including monitoring compliance and issuing infringement notices.

The well-known, state-wide ‘Don’t Be a Tosser’ EPA anti-litter campaign3 is recognised as being highly successful in reducing litter and will also be a key message in the WSROC LRIP 2019-2020 campaign.

WSROC President, Cr Barry Calvert, is confident that the initiative is capable of achieving real results.

“Each of the councils participating in the program is committed to realising better environmental outcomes for Western Sydney. Based on the success of previous campaigns, we are optimistic that this initiative can make a significant impact on reducing litter in these public places.

“Public space is for everyone to share, and a $14 million annual clean-up bill is money that could absolutely be better spent on community infrastructure and services. By targeting packaging, food and drink containers, the onus is squarely on the individual to take responsibility for their litter.

“It’s our goal that the overall impact of the LRIP 2016-2021 program will be a lasting reduction to litter, as well as an increased sense of care and engagement with our region’s many wonderful public places,” said Cr Calvert.

This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy.

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Media contact: Kate O'Connell, 02 9671 4333 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.